Responder Training Framework
The New Zealand Resuscitation Council Responder Framework has distinguished eight types of responder. This is not a prescriptive vocational guide, but rather a tool to help individuals see where they fit as a responder. Knowing this will allow you to find training in resuscitation and emergency care to meet your needs.
Since 1 January 2017, CORE 'levels' courses have been replaced by 'CORE Immediate' and 'CORE Advanced'.
Responder |
Characteristics |
People who may be represented |
Suggested skills and knowledge |
NZ Resus Council training |
Untrained responder |
Can send for help and respond under guidance |
Adults and children with no training in resuscitation |
Recognise unresponsiveness and absence of breathing Know to call 111 Recognise emergency signage Follow instructions to do CPR and use an AED |
We do not offer training to first aiders |
Basic trained responder |
Can initiate basic resuscitation and provide first aid
|
Workplace First Aiders, managers or those otherwise accountable for First Aid in the workplace |
As above plus: DRS ABCD Simple airway management including choking First Aid skills |
Emergency Care Instructor assessment that uses ANZCOR guidelines |
First responder |
Has a duty to respond and likely to be involved with the initial delivery of resuscitation |
Police officers, fire service, security officers, lifeguards, airline crew, volunteers |
As above plus: Simple airway adjuncts Suction Bag-mask ventilation Supplementary oxygen |
|
Health Professional - responder |
Holds a formal tertiary qualification in a health-related discipline and is relatively new to their area of practice May encounter resuscitation events in their occupation or workplace with rapidly-available backup by advanced rescuers |
Graduate nurses and midwives Graduate anaesthetic technicians Radiographers Other trained support staff in hospitals and community health Dentists Emergency medical technicians |
As above plus: Recognition of the deteriorating patient Teamwork Advanced life support for adults and children Understand "shockable" and "non-shockable" rhythms Supraglottal airway adjuncts Awareness of adrenaline and amiodarone in resuscitation |
CORE Immediate - Adult or CORE Immediate - Adult and Child |
Health Professional - early management |
As above plus: Is expected to manage resuscitation events until advanced rescuers arrive |
Experienced nurses and midwives Experienced anaesthetic technicians Paramedics General practitioners in metropolitan areas |
As above plus: Manual defibrillation Awareness of Waveform capnography Awareness of intra-osseous access |
CORE Advanced
|
Professional - advanced responder |
As above plus: Is expected to manage and supervise resuscitation events as an advanced rescuer |
Hospital nursing supervisors Senior nursing staff in units where resuscitations are common or expected (such as Critical Care Unit or Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) Intensive care paramedics Anaesthetic technicians on resuscitation teams |
As above plus: Leading teams Management of peri-arrest conditions Advanced airway management in teams Consider and correct (4Hs, 4Ts) Awareness of prognostication following cardiac arrest Awareness of post-resuscitation care |
|
Medical provider |
As above plus: Holds a formal qualification in medicine |
Registrars and specialists who do not work in emergency medicine, trauma, anaesthesia or intensive care General practitioners in rural settings Trainee interns |
As above plus: A more complex understanding of conditions that lead to cardiac arrest, and post-arrest management |
|
Specialist medical provider |
As above plus: Specialises in providing resuscitation and emergency care |
Doctors working in emergency medicine, trauma, anaesthesia, and intensive care |
As above plus skills and knowledge that may include: Advanced airway management Cardioversion and pacing Other advanced specialist skills |
CORE Advanced plus extra training not offered by NZ Resuscitation Council |